Cassette



F. T; POWERS 2,381,555;

CASSETTE Filed April s', 1943 e sheds-sheet. 1

Aug. 7, 1945.

` A F. T. PcwERs GASSETTE Filed April 9, 1943 v6 Sheets-Sheet 4' Hmmwn 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 .u www wm. E IIIUHI mv Aug. 7, 1945. F. r. PowERs CASSETTE Filed April 9, 1943 QN Alg wh li l.. .L WIIITNN WM #www Ill' IN V EN TOR.

. Y @SN Aug. 7, 1945. F. T. PowERs CASSETTE Filed April '9, 1943 6 Sheets-'Sheet 6 y Patented Aug. -7, 1945 UNIT-EDT kSTATES PATENT OFFICE CASSETTE K Frank T. Powers, Glen Cove, N. Y. 'Application April 9, 1943, serial No. 482.455

' siclaims. (o1. 25o- 86) This invention relates to improvements incassettes and relates more particularly to cassettesV with provision for handling and exposing succes,- sivelengths lof along strip of sensitized material.

Objects and advantages of the invention Will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obviousherefrom,` or maybe learned by practice with the invention, the 'same being" realized and attained bymeans ofthe instrumentalities and combination'spointed out in the appended claims.'v n.

The invention consists inthe novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

` The accompanyingdrawingsreferred to herein and constituting a part hereofillustrate one ernbodimentof ,the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of thedrawings: l l

Fig. 1 is a View in perspective of a vacuum cassette unit constituting a typical and illustrative embodiment of this invention, thecassette unit comprising relatively vertically adjustable upper and lower units of which'theupper unit` embodies "I Iy-ll of Fig. 10; and

Fig. '10 is a view in elevation of a portionof the left end wall of the cassette of Fig. 1, as viewed in Fig. 1, the view also depicting in shadow outline certain details of the film handling -mechanism'ofthe cassette;

Fig.'` 11 is a view in section of certain details `of thefilmwinding mechanism taken alongthe line Fig. 12 is a view in perspective of a detail of Fig.

, bjects of this invention are: to provide a new and useful cassette unit for X-ray radiography; to provide a cassette unit with which low cost paper film in continuous strip form may be ernployed toflequal advantage with gelatine film a'sl* respects intimate` Contact with an intensifying screen overthe entire exposure area and the provision' for handling and exposing sensitized 5 materialin continuous strip form, which 'will herein be referred to 'as the cassette, and the lower unit embodies provision for mobility of the cassette unit, for establishing a reduced pressure in and .for raising,lowering and counter-balancing the cassette, which lower unit will herein be referred to as the carriage;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View of `the interior f the' carriage and a portion of the yinterior ofjthe cas- A sette, `taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 3;v the view depicting certain details ofthe pressure reducing system and of the height adjusting system;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 2 but taken along a plane at right angles to that l of Fig, 2;

. Figs. 4 and5 are sectional views taken along the lines vll--ll and 5 5, respectively, of Fig., 3;

Fig. 6 is a View in rear elevation of the cassette of the embodiment of Fig. 1, the back wall being omitted to show the internal structure; V

` Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 1-.1 in Fig. `6; 1

Fig. 8 is a sectionalfview taken along the lines v 8-,-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional View taken ,along the line 9-,9 in Fig. '7, the lower winding .reelshown' in Fig.v 7 being omitted and certain of the parts being broken away better to show certain details;

presentation of. a smooth flat Surface tothe X-ray beam; vto provide a cassette unit for use with lm in continuous strip form in which the lm handling mechanism will be automatically and releasably locked coincident with stationing of a definite length of the strip in the exposure position; to provide a cassette unit foruse in making successive X-ray radiographs of the respective members of a group, the members being of different heights, -Which will enable radiography of the same area ofthe respective individuals lto be carried out while they are in an upright position, with greater precision and speed and in a more facile manner than has heretofore been obtain`1 able; to provide a new and improved vacuum cassette unit; and, to provide a new and improved mobilev floor type cassette unit of adjustable height.

Inl accordance with this invention, thereis provided a carriage upon which the cassettel is mounted for. vertical adjustment relative thereto. The embodiment carriage is preferably of mobile construction so that it'may be readily and 4easily moved by the operator to a desired location and comprises elevator means for raising and lowering the cassette to a desired height.' The embodied elevator means is preferably a balanced mechanical system requiring vbut slight eiort on the part of the operator to effect a change in elevation of the cassette.

The carriage additionally comprises suitable suction means operating through extensible duct means `to educt air from and to reduce the pressure within the cassette at any setting of the X-ray except through an X-ray permeable exposure. window of suitable dimensions provided therein.

Access to the cassette, for loading the cassette with a fresh supply of film, or for 4removing exposed lm, is obtained through the rear of the casing which is provided with an air-tight removable or hinged rear wall for this purpose,

The cassette embodies means for handling nlm, in the form of a long .strip of sensitized material, by which successive equal lengths of the strip may be stationed in the exposure position for exposure to X-rays through the exposure window. The embodied film handling means comprises Winding reels for holding the Supplies of fresh and used film, together with guide rollers and .winding means for Winding the film off one reel and onto the other along a path passing through the exposure positio-n.

Means `are provided within the casing for automatically locking the winding means coincident with the stationing of a length of the film strip in the exposure position. The embodied locking means comprises detent means contacting one edge of the film strip so as to hold off the locking means while a length .of `the film strip is .being moved into the exposure position. Notches provided along the edges of the .film strip .at equal intervals, are adapted to coact with the detent means upon arrival of each length in the .exposure position and permit movement thereof serving to immobilize the winding mechanism in releasable fashion.

The successive notches are situated so that locking of the winding mechanism will coincide with correct stationing of va length of the lm strip in the exposure position. These notches are preferably coincident with the respective division lines between the successive equal lengths of the film strip. These division lines are preferably in the form of weakened severance lines running transversely of the film strip and enabling van exposed length, or lengths, of the film strip to be readily detached from the iilm strip without having to remove the unexposed portion of the film strip from the cassette. Y

Means are provided for holding a length of the lm strip, `stationed in the `exposure position, against the window member. The embodied holding means comprises a vpress-board which is faced with an intensifying screen and is lmovable from the exterior of the casing into and out of the' holding position in which the length of nlm strip 1s engaged by .the intensifying screen and held thereby against the window member.

The exposure window is of a thin iiexible nature so that .a reduction in `the air pressure within .the cassette will cause the Window member to exert a pressure 'substantially uniformly over the entire area of the length of iilm` strip held by the screen against the window. This ensures intimate contact of the held length with the vintensifying screen over the entire exposure area with con-sequent smoothing out of minor curls, buckles,

etc., particularly in the case of paper yfilm which is therebycaused to present -a smooth, flat surface to the X-ray beam.

Suitable valve means are provided 4for controlling the eduction of air from the cassette. Such valve means are preferably actuated bythe screen moving mechanism so as to permit eduction ofair from the cassette only while a length of the strip is held against the exposure window.

Referring new more particularly to the accompanying drawings, a casing I of the cassette is mounted on an elevator platform 2 of the carriage from which legs 3 depend into a housing 4 of the carriage.A The casing I of the cassette and housing 4 of the carriage, respectively, comprise top, bottom, front, back and end walls, the cassette having provision for handling and exposing successive lengths of a long strip of X- ray film, and the carriage having provision for raising, lowering and counter-balancing the cassette and .forv establishing a reduced pressure within the cassette, all as will be described more fully hereinafter.

The casing I is suitably anchored to the platform 2 as by bolts 5. Likewise, the platform is anchored to the legs 3 as by screws 6.

rIhe legs 3 pass through openings 'I of matching contour .in the top wall of the housing 4, the legs .and openings being so positioned and arranged that the legs preferably just slidably engage .the oppositev endwalls of .the .housing there- Within. The .legs are braced at the bottom by means of plates 8, preferably of metal, vlodged in slots 9 in the leg ends, each plate serving :to connect la pair of legs .adjacent one end wall. Suitable fastening means such as the bolts ID passing through the respective legs of each pair and its connecting plate, serve yto secure one to the other.

.Means operable from the exterior of the .carriage are provided for raising and lowering the platform 2 and with it the cassette. As here embodied, a shaft` II positionedin the upper part of the housing 4 is ljournalled at either end in the housing end walls, for axial rotation. One end of the shaft extends throughan `end wall of the f housing and is equipped with .an operating handle I2 exteriorly of the housing. A pair ofreels I3 fixed to the shaft II is `connected by metal ribbons 'I4 to subjacent metal arms I5 suitably secured to the bracing plates 8. Each of the ribbons i4 is anchored at its upper .end to a respective reel I3 so as to .be wound thereon on rotation of the shaft I I and is anchored at its other end `to arespective arm I5. Thus, as vthe vshaft Il is rotated in one direction, the platform 2. and with it .the .cassette will be raised, and vice versa.

In order to facilitate ease of manual operation and to stabilize the cassette at any desired height, suitable counter-balancing means are provided. As here embodied, a winding reel I 5 vaffixed to the shaft II has connected `thereto .one end of the tensioned metal ribbon `I I of a so-called Rochester Sash Balance unit I8, anchored to the bot-- tom Wall of the housing 4. It will be understood that the torque applied to the shaft II by the unit I8 through the ribbon .I1 is at all times sufcient in magnitude and direction substantially .to counter-balance the 4torque .due to the weight of the cassette, the platform 2 and related parts.

Means are provided for reducing the pressure Within 'the cassette so as to establisha pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the casing, during exposure. As here embodied, the housing 4 is provided with a vertical partition member 20 generally dividing it, as viewed in Fig. 3, into right and left hand .compartments 2| and 22, respectively, for the reception of suitable suc- Y tion means and duct means, respectively.

assiste suction through a suitable opening 21 in the partitionmember 20. Ventopenings 28 in the bot'- tom wall Yof the housing are provided for the escape of air disohargedfby the fan 23. The partition member 26 is suitably contoured rsnugly to i'lt withinthe confines of the housing 4 .and ispreferably. cutaway at the .front so as to provide a passage between. the compartments 2| and 22whiohlatter may bevented., as at 29, for

` 'the escape of air discharged bythe fan 23. The

partition vmember may ,bei 'adhesively bonded or otherwise suitably secured at its edges to thevwalls ofthehousing. y L 1 Y A duct member-30, preferably of sheet metal, is

secured to the partition rmember `Within thev `compartment'22 and forms therewith a suction vduct 3| including the pumpintake'opening 2l. The member 30 may be of rany suitable configuration but as heref'embodied is generally lU-slfiaped in cross-section and ofl trapezoidal outline, is

Aclosed at vthebottom and openat thettop and .is providedl .Withzedge anges 32suitably apertured for thepassage ofscrews 33 securingit to the .partitionmember 26.. The ductmember 30 terminates at-its top short ofL and'in spaced-relation toi the topwalhof .the housing 4. 4In the space thus provided, there is received in superposedvre- Vlation a sealing washer 34, preferably of felt, :of .annular `outline and a Washer 35, preferably of metal, ofrU--shapexy The'sealin-g washer 34 is held 'between'the duct-member@ and the washer 35 3Q in the casing of, for example, two vand one-half in a` slightly *compressed state by means of nails V36'which/pass.,through the topV edge flange 32 vof the duct member `and throughthewashers. and

'l35, intol thetop wall of .the housing.

A duct member 31, open at its top andbottom,

passesvthrough .the platformA 2,: through the top Wall of the housing 4 andthrough the felt Washer :34 and istelescopically receivedl within lthe duct 3|. The duct member 31 is 'sealingly engaged and securely lield.zby:the platform 2 and opens at-its v-top and/through a valved opening '38 into the casing: I.' A` `AThe .washer A34 forms 'a substantially vvair-tight sealwith the duct member 31. J Gaskets (not shown)`v ofA rubber, cork or other suitable seali' 'ing devices maybe providedpifinecessary, at the, Vopening 38f and/or between the contiguous juno-- tion surfaces of the cassette and platform, further tto seal then-various joints... Thus, it is apparent that vthefan23 will operate to eduCt airfrom, and vreducefthek pressure within, thei interiorI of the cassettelvia the opening 38,*duct member 31, duct l3|iand aperture 2l. vrFurther, it is apparent vthatbyvirtue of -thetelescopic arrangementof the duct'member 31 in the duct 3|, this eduction may be-effected at any platform ysetting so that thencassette maybe used over a wide rangevof heights. The carriage is preferably provided with casters 33 or'` other suitable means forr facilitating moving of the cassette unitr to a desiredflocation.

,f The casing lis opaqueto light, is air-tight and isflined .with va leadY shieldv (not showm' -except "over, the exposure area formed vby fan.' X-ray permeable window member 42, Vso vas to befr impervious to" 'X-rays; As here' lpreferablyjfembodied; the bottom, end and back walls ofthe -icasingfarefashionedof wood, `the back wall being 'removablefand"-sealinglyv engaging theftop, bottom andlendiwalls-:of'thecasing in a light-tight,

air-tight fashion.. 'An :adjustable steady brace 146l with a'rller at its end'adapted to bear against --a Vroomivvall orother1vertica1-surface against "which the cassetteunit may 5 be positioned y when infuse, is'iprovidedoneitherl end wall of the casing I. The rollerrisfadaptedfto roll upV and `down thewallwhen the cassette is adjusted in height. The front wall of the .casing is formed by a vertical portion 4I preferably of wood, which rises from and terminates a shortvv distance above the bottom Wallof the casing and provides a supportr for the window member `42 of material, such, forrexample, asa thin sheet of Bakelite, which is opaque to light butl permeable to X-rays. Thethickness of this window member may be of the order of gli inch. Y The window'member 42 is secured at-its top to the top wall of the casing which is preferably metal land which is provided with depending marginal flange portions 43. The'front marginal flange masks the Window member down to the topmargin of the exposure area and is secured to the window member as by screws (not shown). rIhe end marginal flanges are secured to the end Walls of the casing in a similar manner. Corner ounces per square inch of window area. The casing. is preferably leadlined. except for the window member for the protection of the X-ray sensitive film againstfogging. y

Means `are provided for holding avmeasured length of X-ray sensitive material in continuous strip from, stationed in the exposure position againstthe window member 42. As here embodied,a pressboard 46 is supported in'brackets r41 vsecured. vto the front wall of the casing, for

movement intoand ,out of the supporting position, by means of coaxial rollers 48 received Withl inslots 49 in the brackets 4l. A A rigid backing member ioned of plywood., has its front face shielded with Aa sheet'of lead 5|V of a thickness preferably in lthe order of one-sixteenth of an inch. The lead sheet 5| in turn is faced with an intensifying screen 53 which vis cemented or otherwise suitably axed thereto. y

Stiffening of the pressboardis effected through the provision of metal straps 54 which are se- .cured to the rear facev of the backingv member 50 as by bolts 55, the backing member being similarly reinforced and stiened at its top and bottom by-transverse metal straps 56 screwed The extent of rearward movement of the kp'ressboard 46 is limited by bracket members 51secured to the casing end Walls andextending rvinwardly ofthe casing and rearwardly of the pressboard.

A shaft B0 is journalled at either end in suitable" antiffrictionf'bearings 6| in the casing end walls; v Oneendof the shaft 60 carries a crank 62'secured thereto externally of the casing whose [are of movement is ixed'by a pair of lugs 63 cor- .responding to the engaged and disengaged posi- Ations 'of the pressboard. Arms 64 are carried by the shaft in spaced relation yto each other,'the

, arms-being ofsuitable length.` so as to engage ythe pressboard' 46 andv toY move the pressboard forward and to lock the pressboard in'its 'most forward position upon completion ofthe per- 50, preferably fashmitted counter-clockwise movement of the 'crank 62, asvlrewedlin Fig-$1. y .11. I

Ar retracting bar |55` connects Vthe arms G4-*at the rear of the pressboard, the bar 65 being in spaced,` parallel relation to the shaft 68 and being lodged in a U-shaped socket formed by a socket member 65 with the pre'ssboard. The socket member 68 is lscrewed :or f otherwise suitably anchored to the pressboard and it will beapparent that the retracting bar 65 will engage the bracket` 66 so as to move the pressboard-out of the engaged position upon clockwise movementlof the Means are provided' for-'storing a fresh supply of X-ray film within the'cassette in the formjof a long strip and for successively position-ing measuredsuccessive lengths of the ystrip withinthe Cassette for exposure to X-rays througntheexposure window. As here embodied, slotted bear- V ing members 1U, preferablyof fibrous material,

are secured tothe opposite end walls `of 4the casing,--each` of the bearing-members being provided with ya Adownwardly and inwardly inclined slet 1I.- The bearing membersl are adapted'to support, substantially centrally yof-the cassetta-a reel -12carrying afresh supply ofthe X-ray` film The reel 12-may be of usual construction having coaxial stub shaftsf'|3y extending fromn either end and receivedVwithi-n the open-ended-slots--ll "ofv the bearing members.

The lsupply of fX-ray v`film is inthe form of4 a long strip 13A-which may be transparent film-but is `preferably sensitized paper. v The strip 13 wound 'on the reel 12 isdivided into equalsuccessive lengths, each length-being joined to its adjacent lengths along a weakened severance line 15 (Fig. 6); Thus a --length 4or succession Yof lengths maybe-'easily and readilylseparatedfrom the strip after-exposure or at will, Without uri-- wanted `tearingl of thestrip and without Ythe use ofa knife or similarsever-ing `mean-s. Y Additionally,the strip is suitably notched along both edges at each severanceline, as at 156, for lcoactionwith automatic locking means to bef-described "more fully hereinafter, so that the operator will befapprised as to when each length'of -filmis properly located in the exposure position and the stripvwill be locked against further` movement pendingrrelease of the locking mechanism by the operator.- To these ends and as here preferably embodied, there is provided within the upper portionofthe cassette,` an idlerguide roller` 11 traversed bythe strip 13, the roller 11 beingcjournalled atseither endI in .bearingsw 18., preferably of. brous material, secured to the respective end Walls .of the casing. The guide roller 11 is of relatively large -diameter and is preferably formed with a wooden core hav.,- ing` end flanges of larger diameter which ymay be of Bakelite. The `guide roller of relatively large diameter tends to smooth out buckles in the strip 13 asit passes over the roller jand Vtowfix the position of the strip laterally within thecassette in transit.

Upper and lower guide rollers 19 and 88 of smaller diameter are positioned above and below, respectively, the press-board 46 and servev to' guide the strip in a 'substantially vertical .and linear path between the intensifying screen 53 onthe pressboard 3B and thewindow member `12. The rollers 19 and 88 are journalled at their respective ends in suitable'bearinga the roller 19 being journalled at either end in the bearing members '18 yand the roller 80 in .bearings 8| `secured to the casing end walls.

Winding `means areprovidedin; the lower pori tion of the cassette :for .drawingthe lm strip 'nlm strip. as `it is.' used. AsY here' embodied, a

slotted bearing .member y5825 which is secured to the right hand end .wall of the Vcasing and is preferably formed ofibrous material, is provided with a downwardly and forwardlyinclined slot `83. The slot 83 is adapted to .receive a stub shaft 84 of a take-up` reel 85 havingan end flange 86 at its stub shaft end only. The opposite end of thereel is providedwith a recess *.(not shown) preferably of cylindrical` contour adapted to receive a hub 81 of matching contour. I

The hub 81 is provided with a lug .88 extending radially outwardly.` from, .thev circumferential periphery of the hub for lodgernent .in a .radial recess of matching contour in the recessed end ofthe reel 85. v i i A hubvshaft 89.is l.journalleol in `a suitable antifrictionbearing member 98 in the 'left hand end wall of the casing and carries thehub 81 which threadedly engages the :hub shaft in concentric f relation thereto.

Any annular hub flange 9|. concentric with the shaft 89` is ,bolted to thehub 81 between it and the bearing member 98. Thus, with the take-up reel 85 supported'at one end by the shaft 84 in the bearing member 82 and supported at the other` end by the hub 81, the hub flange 9| will complete the reel yassembly and function to guide the lm strip 1.3 onto the reel .as the shaft 89 is turned. yAt the same time, separation and removal of the reel from vits end supports may be readily effected when necessary.

A crank 9|' is journalled on the outer end of the shaft 89 and is provided with a paWl 92 which is urged by a spring 93 intooperative engagement with a ratchet wheel 94 anchored to theshaft 89. A nut 95 threadedly engages the outer end of the shaft 89 for .preventing axial movement of the crank 9| on shaft 89. The crank 9|. is, by reason of the pawl-ratchet construction, operative `to rotate the shaft 89, and hence the take-up reel85, in a clockwise direction only, as viewed in Fig. 7'.' It will be seen that rotation of thecrank9|l serves to pull the film strip through the exposure y.position and wind it on the reel V85.

Means arev provided for automatically locking the winding means coincident with the stationing of each successive length of lmstrip in the exposure position. As here embodied, a ratchet wheel `9|`a` coaxial with the shaft 89 is bolted to an annular flanged coupling member 91 which `in turn is rmly anchored by a pin 98 to the Vshaft 89. A ratchetpawl `9"9 Vis positioned, below the ratchet wheel 96 and extends fore and vaft in `the cassette I, ythe pawl `being pivotally mounted on a pin |00 extending Vinwardly from the adjaoentend wall of thecasing.

The ratchet paw'l "99 is :adapted to beV .automatically lifted intogreleasable locking .engagerment with the ratchet wheel 96;'zby a pawl lifting arm, |0| coincident withfsethe.stationing'fof each Ysuccessive ,length rofl stripf--in' the exposure 4A coil,y spring 105m surroundsthe shaft I03=be tweenthegarms il'liand voperatesV .tolurge lthe f :sequence has y rockershaft |033 and liftingarm-1IOI-Lcounter-- clockwise, as viewed in Fignll, therebyyurging i ythe ratchet lpawllf99 `:upward into lockingfengagef Ament withfthe-ratche'wheel' 96. 1 1 l upper end with a dog |01, preferably a roller,v

adapted to be lodged in theirespective 'notches 41| ofthefiilm stript-1351.114

f "Ihedog.-A I 01 is normally 1urg'edtoward` the lm strip upon ywhose edge! it norrnallly ridespbyathe coiled spring a 'l acting i through 'the rocker shafti|03f and the lever arm |06 andhence vdog v| 01 f is: caused: to enter `the vvre spectivetnotches i 16 when in opposition thereto.4 Alilntryofthe-.dog I v01' 'into Ya :notchzactuatesfthe` :ratchet 'pawl 99 so as automatically to` lock'the ratchet wheel 96, and hence -crack l9 againstfurther rotation. Thus, athe operator. is apprised of` thecorrect stationing of *afresh length-of Jiilm strip" inrthe exposurefpsition. r i v s1. 1 t f l tMeansiareprovidei'operable from the exterior ofV lthe casing, 4 for releasingv the' locking mech-1 anism atfwillt As here embodied, `a shaft' I I0 is ournalledv infa'bearinglIIIin the ycasing side i walll The shaft is providedfat one end exteriorly of the 'casingwith asuitablefoperating handle I I2 secured thereto and terminates-atits opposite end interiorly of 1 the' cassette in Vafcam member rII-3frotatabletherewith.' A stop vmemberf||4 on the Icasing` is' adapted to be engaged by an arm V.IIS-of the-handle ||2 and yto limit the vangular movement of the shaft in onedirectiontfvf l Ar lever arm v'}|| 6 isf-positioned 'within the vcassette above the shaft 89 and isiulcrumedtatV its frontend, as at f |'|1,'.to the casing side wall in ,-subjacent relation to the cam member; II3- by whichv it is adaptedf tobe engaged 'and Amoved Y "downwardlyiabot the`fulcrum`||1fYThie lever army ||6 is pin connectedat its opposite'end `as.

ofthe next `notch opposite the dog |01., Ort-the movement of the cam-H3 may be e'ected manually by turningl the: handle I0 'counter-clockwise. If desiredgthe cam member I|3; may be :provided l'with springmeans (not shown) for automatically restoringwthecam member to its starting'position upon release by the operator. Means arewprovided for automatically establishing a reduced pressure within the cassette uponmovement` of the intensifyingscreen 53 into engagement lwith the length of the filmstrip stationed in the'exposure position. As here embodied,.a 'spring actuated hinged iiap .valve |25 ywithin thefcassette is mounted on the bottom wallA of thefcasing I for closing theA evacuating port 38. 4The valve iiap is connected by a exible link |26, such, for example,y as a wire, chain or the like to a valve operating lever |21 on the "The lever |21 extends radially from the shaft 601at'such angle thatthe rotational movement ofthe "shaft 60by which forward movementfof the'lintensifying screen is eiectedwill impart tension tol thev link l|26 sufkcient to raise the flap valve and uncover the port 38.y The. suction ofthe fan 23 fapplied tothe interior of the cassette through the opening 38 reduces the k,air

pressure within the cassette and causes therflexyible window -member 42` to exert a pressure substantially uniformly'over the entire area of the length offfilm strip held-by the screen against "thewindow member. "'In consequence, intimate contact of the length of lm strip ywith the intensifyingy screen is obtained over the wholel exposure area andthe length is caused to present asmooth iiaty surface, free of curls, buckles and warpings'totheX-ray beam. This is of major importance in connection -with paper 'hn which `is *subject to warping' and buckling under ordinary conditions lof use. When the intensifying r screen is retracted, the valve |25` is lowered and closes the suction port 38' at vI |8,.toda'substantially vertic`ally-extending depressor arm-I I9 which slidablyengag'es the adjacent'casingf sidewall and passes Ithrough a guide member |20. v' f 'ihefdepressorI arm.' I I9 is yangled 4vinwardly at litsV lowerrportion as at' I2 I` so as tto" bear' upon the top of the ratchet pawl 99which i't is adapted I.

to depress. In the-arrangement of Y' the-parts as shown'lin Figs; :I0-arid 11', for example, the'cam y vmember -r|'|3 `is positioned in thefr`ele'ase position ini-which lever 'arm-1 II Shasl been moved vdown- Means are provided for indicating the number ofysuccessive lengths-of the filmstrip which have 'passed throughthe exposure position. Ashere embodied; the shaft is provided with a lever arm |30 for lifting a dial actuating member |3| -as is bestshown in'Fig.l 10. The member |3| isr provided at'one end with Aa ange portion |32 at'f'right angles thereto and is longitudinally slotted as at |33.v The opposite end is preferably provided with a'fspring-loaded 'pawl |34.

`| I9 hasI been forced down by theA lever arml I I 6 so as to depress-thefpawl' 99 thus -freein'ggthe wheel .96. Depression of fthe Vp"aw1j'99 the 'film strip-'notch l16. Thus,l the `ilm strip A isIfree'cl'Nl and winding'thereof'v on y the. reel 85v l may bev "accomplished Abyrotating' the crank gv9 It willbe observed thatjas `winding proceeds,

vented from lifting *the ratchet 'pia'.wl 99 into en"- gagementi f with ratchet :wheel 96 "until the n nex't 'positioning An'otch"arrives opposite the dog" |01. Once` winding'has be'en'fi'nitiated by rotation oi they trank 9|,

the handle ysu" XWitt; ,thettrmA |15; 'thus A mmmtingv plate las is secured lwithin the cassette to an end wan of thel Casing and is `provided with- `an *outstanding stud |36 which extends through the slot |33 of the member I'3I. A guide strap |31 on the plate -`|35 embraces the member I3 I4 above the pin |36 soas to confine the member |3| to' movement ina substantially vertical linear path.

'EA ratchet wheel^|38 withink the cassette is mounted on one end of a shaft |39 journalled in and extending through one` of the casing end -;wa1ls:-fA counter' dial |40-isvsecured Ato the outer end of the shaft |39 which is yadditionally provided With a knobI |4| vfor setting the dial |40 to `a zero' settingwith4 reference-to a pointer |42.

` The ratchet wheel" `|38 lis suitably positioned with reference to `the dial actuating member |3| so' thatupward'rnovement of the member I3'I will'cause the'pawl |34 to engage the ratchet |38 and move'the dial |40 over one space relative yto,` the pointer |42.

' :A spring |'43`y is'y connected'to the member `|3| andthe casing so as to bel tensionedv by upward son orsubject `to be: X-rayedws positionedin `front of and against the Windowmember 42.0f the-cassette..A Incmaking radiographs of a per -scins:chest, for example, differences in height of different individuals are readily and easily compensated for .by raising or Alowering thccassette toi-the proper `heightby turning the knob 12,;1ig. 3, soaas-.toobtain the desired setting; Thevacuurn fang 2,3 lis: then ystarted lloyY closing the .starting `switch (notshown) to the motor 24. 1 .l With `the cam H3 in the position shown in Eig; ilOin which the dog |01v is retractedfvrom thefnotch, 16 `the operator turns the cranks! clockwiseito Wind theiilm strip from the reel .12 ontothe vreel A85, In f doingso, the ystud .strikes the camlever l l Swhich is rotated outof engagementwiththe lever arm H6. The filmstrip- 1 3 win-,chris engaged along its oneedge by the, dog

|051 holds the lever arm H16 ina; cocked position. Inthis position, the ratchet paWl SS-isheld dis- `engagedirom the ratchet wheel v96. -Wnding ,o f

lthe film -is continued until one of thenotches 'I6 cornes opposite'thedog I 01. When'this happens,

Atljredog ll'lll entersthenotch, and. the; ratchet pawl ,Bois lifted. by the pavvll Ylifting arm IUI `into fen easementfwith the .ratchet WheelV 96 iifhifhl is thereby locked against further rotation. This completes the stationing o fa freshlength of the filmstrip in the exposure position. The :crank 62 is now pulled down from theposition shown in Fig. `1 to a position againstthe lowerstopmember 63. By lso` doing, thepressboard 46 carrying the intensifying screen 53 is advanced` and lockedin its most forward position vicy the lever members64. As thepressboardis `locked vin position, the flap valve |25 is-opened thereby permittingthe vacuum fan to apply suc.-

tion to the interior of the cassette..V

`The reduced ;pressure` causes the Aflexible window member i2 to pressthe held ,length of film stripfirmly against the intensifying screen over thek entire exposure area and exposuremay be made at any time thereafter..v

i, Upon completion of the exposure, the crankv 62 y.is returned to its starting positionl thereby rretracting the intensifying screen, advancing the counter dial t4!! one space and closingthe 4flap valve;l2.,5 to cutoff the suc-tion.

The releaseknob H245, now rotated tothe ,posi-tion against the stop member IM shown in Fig. l` solas to free the `winding mechanism and retract thedog I U from Vthemotch 16.

The take-up reel is now rotatedby thecrank SI so as to draw a freshunexposed length of film strip into theI exposure position.y lThe release knob I l2 .will be returnedto its startingp osition by contact of stud 91a with arm- I |5 and Winding is continued until the dog llentersthe next succeeding notch I6 of the i'lmstrinfUpon the ,happening of thisevent,` the ratchet' wheel 96 is .locked against Vfurther;rotation andthe operator BSBIQEISB movement-'of the member-1131i andtorestorefthe is apprisedof Athe:readiness..015 the apparatus for repetitiOnoLthe exp'osurefcycla n ,fThez invention; in' .tts :broader .aspects is not limited tothe specicmechanisms shown and described but departures may be .made therefrom the? :scope rofl. :the accompanying claims without `departing from the principles of the inventionandswithout sacricingits chief advantages.-f vtg, v 'jnwWhatisclaimedisr l y 1. A cassette unit comprising-in combination a carriage,gsaidgcarriage .comprising a.l housing, air

eduction meansfwithin said housingand elevator mean-s; and, a vacuum cassette Asupported by said elevatorameans for verticalmovement relative to said lhousing, said cassette communicating with said educ'tionymeans. Y

,r 2.; ,A Acassetterunit comprising in'v combination a mobilecarriagacsaid carriage comprising a housnifapplatfonn. mounted for 4vertica1 reciprocable movement relative 'to said housing,l and a vacuum Dump infsaidehousing;v and, avacuum cassette mounted on said platform, saidca'ssette comprising a casing having al suction portfortheeduction of air: fromsaid cassettebysaid pump, and valve `means .for `openingand closing said.l port.

A 3. A vacuum cassette comprising an air-tight casing :havingasuctionportfand a flexible X-ray permeable'vvind ow.means for handling film in the `formof` a vlong strip. ofsensitized material for the exposurefoi4 successive `lengths thereofv to X-rays `through isaidtvindow, ymeansior holding a length of `said strip-stationed .in the exposure Vposition against said Window, and valve means for sealing said suctionport,vsaidvalve means being responsive to'movement,orsaidsholdingmeans to open .andfillose said suction port. .g 145A cassettegcomprising a casing having an X-ray permeableswindow; means i for handling nlm in the torni-of` a long strip of sensitized material for ,the exposure `of successive lengthsthereof to X-raysgthrough said window, said means comprisingwinding reels andmeans 'motivated by said Inlm.v strip,f or reieasablylocking; oneof said reels coincident with the stationingof-a.1ength of said strip in the exposure position.

- y 5.-';A cassette .comprising fa lcasing having an IX ray,.perm?oblelwindow; winding reels, in said easing; I,I,1eans ,;forr winding lmin the form of a Along strip offsensitized material from one to the .other of (said:` reelsQfor exposure of successive lengths thier.oni-fte.l X-.rays through ,said window; means motivatedby said filmstrip ,for automatically loliingsaid Winding means upon .the Stationing sie lenethfoi Sairdstrio in the, exposure positionand, inanuall operated meansfor releasing saieiilockingmeans cassette comprising a casing havingan X- may peremalglelwindow; windingreels insaid cas- .,ing; means or windings. long stripof film from o e to theother ofsaitrels for exposureof successive `,-lgligtlis.of: saidgstrip to X-raysv through dow said iilm..strip .being provided with along hone edge between adjacent lengths io-.lips meansmotivatedby Sodom strip l 'automatically looking: said Winding ymeans u n .the .stationingoia length of` saidlm strip the exposure position, said locking means comprising -.a .spring pres sed detent. member adapted to ride in a cockedposition upon-the notched edge of.said'iilin.stripl'betweerlv s aidfnotches and to be Luncooked byentry into/the respective notches so as toflock .s aid Winding means; and, manually operated means'ror cooking vsaiddetent member sessi@ smeekt dwiediegeans l 7. A vacuum cassette comprising an air-tight casing having an X-ray permeable window; winding reels in said casing; meansvfor Winding lm in f the form of a long strip of sensitized' paper from one tothe other of -said reels for exposure of `successive lengths of said strip to X-rays through said window; a guide roller of relatively large diameter over. which said strip is adapted to travel; means for holdin'gl a length of saidstrip stationed in the exposure position'against said window; a valved suction port through Which air is adapted to be educted from the cassette to reduce the pressure therein; means actuable by said f holding means for opening the port valve when a length of said strip is heldagainst said Window;

, and, means motivated lby saidlm strip for auto- Y matically locking said Winding means upon the stationing of a length of said strip in the exposure position. s c

8. A cassette unit comprising a vacuum cassette and a mobile carriage, said carriage comprising a housing, an elevator platform upon which said cassette is mounted, said platform having depending legs telescopically received Withinisaid housing; means for raising and lowering said platform,

"said means including an operating handle exteriorly of said housing and means Within said housing for counter-balancing said platform, legs Aand cassette, avconduit extending through said platform into said housing, a conduit Within said housing, said first-mentioned conduit having one end-terminating in a suction port in said cassette posing successive lengths of said strip to X-rays and comprising a casing having an'X-ray permeable exposure window of a thin, ilexible nature, an intensifying screen for holding a length of said strip stationed in the exposure position against said Window, means for moving said intensifying screen into and out of its holding position, valve means for opening and closing said suction port in response tothe movement of said screen, Winding'reels within said casing for storing said lm strip, means for Winding said film strip from one of 'said reels to the other, means motivated by said nlm strip for automatically locking said winding means upon the stationing of a length of said strip in the exposure position; and, manually operated means for releasing said locking means.

. FRANK T. POWERS. 

